Is it possible to put a beam to support a ceiling in a loft?

4675 Views 34 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Warren, Sep 1, 2013

The Coastal Craftsman

Discussion Starter · Aug 31, 2013

quick question guys. i have a job im prob gonna have an engineer come over and look at but before i call them is it possible to install a beam into a loft to support a ceiling? Customers dont want to see a beam and they want it to flow from one room to the next but this aint something i have ever had to do.

It's the wall between the master and bed 4

Text Floor plan Plan Drawing Technical drawing

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Tylerwalker32

· #2 · Aug 31, 2013

If I understand correctly, you could do a flush beam set into the ceiling and hang the joists off it.

tjbnwi

· #3 · Aug 31, 2013

What is above this and the roof roof layout would really help in answering this.

If the ceiling joists are running parallel with the wall you may not even need a beam. Except for self load, I don't think it is a load bearing wall. Just make sure you plan for any mechanicals that might be in the wall.

Tom

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tjbnwi

· #4 · Aug 31, 2013

Tylerwalker32 said:
If I understand correctly, you could do a flush beam set into the ceiling and hang the joists off it.

I read this as asking about the wall directly opposite the closet in bedroom #4. Not the door wall that is part of the hallway.

Tom

thom

· #5 · Aug 31, 2013

I don't see a loft in that floorplan.

I see what appears to be a second story. You give no indication of what type of ceiling/roof structure is there now, stick or truss. Based just on that plan it would seem that the rafters and joists would run left/right not up/down so removing the wall between MBR and BR4 should not require any structural modifications.

More information is needed though. Without knowing the structure, we can only guess. Guessing is not a good way to remodel.

Elyrain

· #6 · Aug 31, 2013

Take a pic of the roof framing plan if there is one pls.

If they do remove the wall, what are they going to do with that small closet in BR4? What about the doorway to BR4?

If they take out the wall why not move the door back inline with the WIC and Guest Bath? Then remove most of the right wall for BR4.

The Coastal Craftsman

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 31, 2013 (Edited)

4

I have the plans for the house but it shows nothing for truss design or layout. The area above is a loft. The rafters are running front top to bottom in that picture so numerous rafters are sitting on that wall currently. The main bedroom is 16ft from back wall to bedroom 4 wall and 11ft from that wall to closet wall of bedroom 4 so if wall is removed its a 27ft span total.

heres a couple more pictures if they help. i have pics of inside the loft but its unreal and i cant get enough in the pic to show whats going on up there.

Text Line Diagram Pattern Design

Text Design Pattern Parallel Plan

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The Coastal Craftsman

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 31, 2013

Elyrain said:
Take a pic of the roof framing plan if there is one pls.

If they do remove the wall, what are they going to do with that small closet in BR4? What about the doorway to BR4?

If they take out the wall why not move the door back inline with the WIC and Guest Bath? Then remove most of the right wall for BR4.

closet in bed 4 will stay for storage and door way to bed 4 will be closed up.

overanalyze

· #9 · Aug 31, 2013

Yes its possible...money and time are the only restraints. Sounds doable pending any crazy point loads we can't see. If your going to pocket the beam and hang the joists, just need to make sure you don't cause the mechanicals path any fits.

jar546

· #10 · Aug 31, 2013

Anything is possible in construction but the questions are: How much is it going to cost? and Is it worth it to the owners?

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tjbnwi

· #11 · Aug 31, 2013 (Edited)

BCConstruction said:
The rafters are running front top to bottom in that picture so numerous rafters are sitting on that wall currently.

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If this is truly the case, then it is a bearing wall and you'll need a let-in beam with the joists hung off the sides. The real question is is why did they rotated the ceiling joists? If the hall wall is not a bearing wall you have nothing to land the beam on.

Time to have your engineer look at this and modify the plans as need be.

Tom

jar546

· #12 · Aug 31, 2013

I don't see a basement in the elevations so I am assuming this is a slab? If so and you have to add bearing for a point load, you may have to saw cut and place footing.

Tom M

· #13 · Aug 31, 2013

There was an article in jlc a while back where a beam was install in an attic above the joists. Everything was hung from. Sounds like your interested in doing something similar.
So very doable with a different approach.

tjbnwi

· #14 · Aug 31, 2013

Other issue will be at the exterior wall, how much of an angle needs to be cut on the end of the beam to clear the roof sheathing? You may need to do trusses or rafters with raised heels (which may be required to get the proper amount of insulation over the wall anyways).

Tom

festerized

· #15 · Aug 31, 2013 (Edited)

Roof trusses or conventional rafters? If its trusses you may not need a beam depending on the truss design, what is the dimension from the closet of bed $4 to the rear wall with the oct roof? What is the dimension from left to right along the bed #4 wall to the right side of WIC door? (new beam length) Whats above these room?

rrk

· #16 · Aug 31, 2013

You are in over your head, go back to your trailer and play with your festool stuff.

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The Coastal Craftsman

Discussion Starter · #17 · Aug 31, 2013

Here's the type of trusses they have. They are much taller though. this looks like a squashed version of them.

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The Coastal Craftsman

Discussion Starter · #18 · Aug 31, 2013

rrk said:
You are in over your head, go back to your trailer and play with your festool stuff.

Thats prob a good idea lol

Texas Wax

· #19 · Aug 31, 2013

If I understand what your trying to do correctly-
Good chance there's a girder truss associated with the hip in the area you're playing with. That will absolutely require an engineered solution...If that's the case, the Crystal ball says your gonna have some fun.

Morbid curiosity - Slab on grade or basement/crawl space?

Definitely consult with an engineer.

The Coastal Craftsman

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 31, 2013

engineer is happening no matter what. i wanted to make sure the beam being in the loft was even possible to begin with.

I thought it was a slab on grade in that area but there is a basement under that area.

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